CHESHIRE STAR SHINES AT THE WOODBRIDGE OVAL
Remember the name Kate Coppack. Kate who is only 13 years old was part of the touring team fromMilanthat graced the Woodbridge Oval this weekend and anyone at the ground could not fail to be impressed by her two performances in the weekend games against Sporting Alfas.
On the Friday she bowled three economical overs to good effect against two Spanish internationals, (one past and one present), and also took a sharp catch at gully to dismiss a Spanish Junior player. On the Sunday she opened the bowling attack forMilanand her nagging line and length tested both openers, one a former county player for Nottinghamshire,the other, part of the Spanish Under 15 squad that performed so well in the European Championships at La Manga last year.
Bowling a total of 5 overs she only went for 15 runs, and with wickets falling at the other end, she played a pivotal part in giving Milan the strong start that the home side never really recovered from.Milanfinally took the game by over 100 runs to secure their only victory of the tour.
Kate first started playing cricket when she was seven years old. Her father, Steve worked extensively in the Italian city and his family would visit for long periods during the summer holidays. With the encouragement of David Sweetman, one of the founders and pioneers of cricket inMilan, Kate became involved in the set-up and has toured with them previously inDublinandMaltabefore this years trip to Spain.
When her father moved back toEnglandfull time she enrolled at the prestigiousKingsSchoolinChester, and she was soon starring in their sporting teams. Katie made history when she became the first girl to play in the school junior and currently senior school age group teams,.
At weekends she represents her local club Chester Broughton Hall CC, and it was not long before her eye catching performances attracted the attention of Cheshire Youth Cricket and their successful Cricket Development programme.
Whilst playing forCheshireshe has scored half centuries and taken numerous wickets but she still cites bowling out her brother Glenn in the back garden has her most memorable cricket moment to date. Glenn, who also has had trials forCheshiremanaged a 68 on the Spanish tour forMilanproving it certainly was not a cheap wicket to get.
Kate has the exciting prospect of a trial for the Wales Under 15 Girls Cricket Squad to look forward too when she returns to Chester, and if her performances this weekend in Spain are anything to go by, then it will be no surprise to anyone at Alfas if we hear a lot more of Kate’s name in cricketing circles.
